Please note that music files that are linked to are not necessarily the same edition we will be using on the day and therefore there may be some slight differences.
Byrd Senex puerum portabat or YouTube SATB
Byrd (1539/40 - 1623), a pupil of Thomas Tallis, became one of the most successful of the Tudor composers. He was organist at Lincoln Cathedral between 1563 and 1570 before moving to London and the Chapel Royal, following the death of Robert Parsons. The 4-part Senex puerum portabat is found in the second book of Gradualia of 1607. As with so much of Byrd's music there is a considerable subtlety of expression: after a sober opening, the word 'portabat' is set with a rising interval, to be followed by exquisitely delicate vocal lines at 'adoravit'. An anthem for Candlemas (2 February), it depicts Simeon carrying the infant Christ.
Morley Clorinda false or YouTube SATB
Philistus' farewell to false Clorinda: a simple but effective 4-part piece on unrequited Arcadian love. Its structure is between that of a canzonet and a madrigal - note the slightly flippant treatment of 'Adieu' in contrast to the polyphonic 'O grief and bitter anguish'.
Gibbons Ah, dear heart
or YouTube Also in the Oxford Book of English Madrigals SATTB
Orlando Gibbons was one of the most versatile English composers of his time. His output includes many verse anthems and a number of compositions that might be better described as consort songs rather than madrigals. He was organist at Westminster Abbey and the Chapel Royal. 2025 marks the 500th anniversary of his death. The exquisite Ah dear heart is a contemplative piece, with long lines and plangent part-writing.
Vautor Mother I will have a husband
or YouTube Also in the Oxford Book of English Madrigals SSATB
There is much wit in this light-hearted and energetic portrayal of wilful adolescence. It is largely homophonic, but there are some interesting excursions, especially during the 'gad' into town ('to get a husband, good or bad') and at the inevitable kissing!
Weelkes Thule the period of cosmography
or YouTube Also in the Oxford Book of English Madrigals SSATTB
A geographical tour in music of the world's volcanic wonders. Thule is an ancient name for a land six days' sail north of Britain, supposed to be the most northerly region in the world - the 'period of cosmography'. Hecla is an Icelandic volcano and Etna, of course, is in Sicily. There is some wonderful word-painting, especially the triple time of 'Trinacrian Etna', and in the depiction of Hecla's 'sulphurious fire'. If we have time, we can go on to its companion piece, The Andalusian merchant, where there is reference to Fogo, where the whole island is a volcano.
Banchieri Contrapunto bestiale
or YouTube (oh, the jumpers!) SSATB
Some more Italian, in which 'a rather earnest song is interrupted by the sounds of the farmyard'.
Please note that music files that are linked to are not necessarily the same edition we will be using on the day and therefore there may be some slight differences.
Byrd Senex puerum portabat or YouTube SATB
Byrd (1539/40 - 1623), a pupil of Thomas Tallis, became one of the most successful of the Tudor composers. He was organist at Lincoln Cathedral between 1563 and 1570 before moving to London and the Chapel Royal, following the death of Robert Parsons. The 4-part Senex puerum portabat is found in the second book of Gradualia of 1607. As with so much of Byrd's music there is a considerable subtlety of expression: after a sober opening, the word 'portabat' is set with a rising interval, to be followed by exquisitely delicate vocal lines at 'adoravit'. An anthem for Candlemas (2 February), it depicts Simeon carrying the infant Christ.
Morley Clorinda false or YouTube SATB
Philistus' farewell to false Clorinda: a simple but effective 4-part piece on unrequited Arcadian love. Its structure is between that of a canzonet and a madrigal - note the slightly flippant treatment of 'Adieu' in contrast to the polyphonic 'O grief and bitter anguish'.
Gibbons Ah, dear heart
or YouTube Also in the Oxford Book of English Madrigals SATTB
Orlando Gibbons was one of the most versatile English composers of his time. His output includes many verse anthems and a number of compositions that might be better described as consort songs rather than madrigals. He was organist at Westminster Abbey and the Chapel Royal. 2025 marks the 500th anniversary of his death. The exquisite Ah dear heart is a contemplative piece, with long lines and plangent part-writing.
Vautor Mother I will have a husband
or YouTube Also in the Oxford Book of English Madrigals SSATB
There is much wit in this light-hearted and energetic portrayal of wilful adolescence. It is largely homophonic, but there are some interesting excursions, especially during the 'gad' into town ('to get a husband, good or bad') and at the inevitable kissing!
Weelkes Thule the period of cosmography
or YouTube Also in the Oxford Book of English Madrigals SSATTB
A geographical tour in music of the world's volcanic wonders. Thule is an ancient name for a land six days' sail north of Britain, supposed to be the most northerly region in the world - the 'period of cosmography'. Hecla is an Icelandic volcano and Etna, of course, is in Sicily. There is some wonderful word-painting, especially the triple time of 'Trinacrian Etna', and in the depiction of Hecla's 'sulphurious fire'. If we have time, we can go on to its companion piece, The Andalusian merchant, where there is reference to Fogo, where the whole island is a volcano.
Banchieri Contrapunto bestiale
or YouTube (oh, the jumpers!) SSATB
Some more Italian, in which 'a rather earnest song is interrupted by the sounds of the farmyard'.
Please note that music files that are linked to are not necessarily the same edition we will be using on the day and therefore there may be some slight differences.
Byrd Senex puerum portabat or YouTube SATB
Byrd (1539/40 - 1623), a pupil of Thomas Tallis, became one of the most successful of the Tudor composers. He was organist at Lincoln Cathedral between 1563 and 1570 before moving to London and the Chapel Royal, following the death of Robert Parsons. The 4-part Senex puerum portabat is found in the second book of Gradualia of 1607. As with so much of Byrd's music there is a considerable subtlety of expression: after a sober opening, the word 'portabat' is set with a rising interval, to be followed by exquisitely delicate vocal lines at 'adoravit'. An anthem for Candlemas (2 February), it depicts Simeon carrying the infant Christ.
Morley Clorinda false or YouTube SATB
Philistus' farewell to false Clorinda: a simple but effective 4-part piece on unrequited Arcadian love. Its structure is between that of a canzonet and a madrigal - note the slightly flippant treatment of 'Adieu' in contrast to the polyphonic 'O grief and bitter anguish'.
Gibbons Ah, dear heart
or YouTube Also in the Oxford Book of English Madrigals SATTB
Orlando Gibbons was one of the most versatile English composers of his time. His output includes many verse anthems and a number of compositions that might be better described as consort songs rather than madrigals. He was organist at Westminster Abbey and the Chapel Royal. 2025 marks the 500th anniversary of his death. The exquisite Ah dear heart is a contemplative piece, with long lines and plangent part-writing.
Vautor Mother I will have a husband
or YouTube Also in the Oxford Book of English Madrigals SSATB
There is much wit in this light-hearted and energetic portrayal of wilful adolescence. It is largely homophonic, but there are some interesting excursions, especially during the 'gad' into town ('to get a husband, good or bad') and at the inevitable kissing!
Weelkes Thule the period of cosmography
or YouTube Also in the Oxford Book of English Madrigals SSATTB
A geographical tour in music of the world's volcanic wonders. Thule is an ancient name for a land six days' sail north of Britain, supposed to be the most northerly region in the world - the 'period of cosmography'. Hecla is an Icelandic volcano and Etna, of course, is in Sicily. There is some wonderful word-painting, especially the triple time of 'Trinacrian Etna', and in the depiction of Hecla's 'sulphurious fire'. If we have time, we can go on to its companion piece, The Andalusian merchant, where there is reference to Fogo, where the whole island is a volcano.
Banchieri Contrapunto bestiale
or YouTube (oh, the jumpers!) SSATB
Some more Italian, in which 'a rather earnest song is interrupted by the sounds of the farmyard'.
